Heating apparatus



p 1941- E. B. GEORGE 2,254,801

HEATING APPARATUS Filed Jupe 27, 1935 Patented Sept. 2, 1941 Edward B.George,

Chicago, Ill., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to James H. K. McCollum, Evanston, Ill., and Henry J.De N. McCollum,

Chicago, Ill., jointly Application June 27, 1935, Serial No. 28,710

6 Claims.

The invention relates generally to heaters and particularly to anapparatus for heating an automotive vehicle propelled by an internalcornbustion engine.

At the present time most heaters for automotive vehicles derive theirheat from the jacket water of the motor or from the exhaust, andfrequently the quantity of heat supplied in that manner is insufficient,particularly for heating large buses and airplanes.

It is a primary object of the invention, therefore, to provide a heatingapparatus for automotive vehicles having an independent heat generatingsource so as not to be dependent upon either the jacket water or theexhaust of the motor. i

Another object is to provide a heating apparatus having an independentheat generating source which employs the fuel used by the motor of thevehicle with which the apparatus is associated so as to obviate thenecessity of a separate supply of fuel.

Yet another object is to provide a heating apparatus having a burner inwhich suction is utilized for drawing a combustible mixture into theburner and for withdrawing the products of combustion therefrom.

A further object is to provide a heating apparatus for automotivevehicles having a heat source independent of the motor but with aconnection to the intake manifold of the motor for drawing combustiblemixture into the heat source and for disposing of the products ofcombustion.

A further object is to provide a heating apparatus for automotivevehicles having manual means for controlling the initiation ofvoperation of the apparatus, and automatic safety means for preventinginitiation of operation and for arresting operation upon the existenceof predetermined conditions.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a heating apparatusof novel and improved construction having control means for governingboth the generation and the radiation of heat.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing,in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a heating apparatus embodying the featuresof the invention, in which the apparatus is shown partlydiagrammatically and partly in elevation or in section.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the motor in Fig. 1 55 25 coil. When the systemis showing the circuit interrupting means for the spark coll.

Although there is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter describedin detail a preferred 5 embodiment of the invention, it is to beunderstood that this is for the purpose of illustrating the principlesof the invention and that the invention is not limited to the particularform illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in theappended claims.

As shown herein for purposes of disclosure, the apparatus comprises aclosed circulatory system which may be either of the hot water or steamtype and is composed largely of a radiator 5, adapted to be located soas to discharge into. the body of the vehicle, and a heating coil 6adapted to be located exteriorly of the body preferably in the motorcompartment. The number of turns in the coil 6 is determined by whatcapacity the heating apparatus is to have. The

circulatory system is completed by a supply duct 1 leading from the topof the heating coil 6 to the radiator 5 and a return duct 8 leading fromthe radiator to the bottom of the heating system, there is interposed inthe return duct 8'between the radiator and the heating coil a tank 9having radiating fins 9 so that the tank functions as a condenserconverting the steam to water which then flows by gravity into the lowerturn of the coil 6 and thus assures circulation in the system. Shouldthe system be used as a hot water system, the tank 9 may be adapted tofunction as an expansion tank. A bracket l0 supports the radiator 5 inhorizontal position and is formed with a bushing ll adapted to extendthrough the wall dividing the body of the vehicle from the motorcompartment. The bushing II is threaded externally to receive anut I! bymeans of which the bracket is clamped to the wall. Both the supply ductI andthe return duct 8 extend through the' bushing so that the radiatormay be conveniently installed, and when installed will present a neatappearance.

Means is provided herein for apparatus operable independently water orthe exhaust of the motor propelling the vehicle with which rendering theof the jacket (not shown) the heating apparatus is associated. To thatend an independent heat generating means is provided which here takesthe form of a burner l5 enclosing the heating coil 8. This burnerpreferoperated as a steamthe same source. In the present instance theburner is shown connected by a conduit 16 near the bottom of a floatbowl I1 of a carburetor it. The float bowl 11 in turn is connected inwell known manner by a conduit is to the fuel supply tank, not shown.Interposed in the conduit 18 is a fuel and air proportioning device 20having a fuel passage 2i constituting in eflect a part of the conduit 16and an air passage 22 open to the atmosphere, and discharging into anenlargecl portion 2| of the passage 2! where the air mixes with thefuel. The relative proportion of fuel and air drawn through the deviceis determined by a needle valve 23 which is adiustd to give acombustible mixture. A valve 24 located at the point of discharge of theconduit It into the burner is governs the supply of combustible mixtureto the burner. It will be seen from-the foregoing that this connectionprovides a constant level supply source for the burner.

Combustible mixture is induced to flow into the burner through theconduit l8 and the products of combustion conducted away from the burnerby suction. Though a separate vacuum motor might be provided for thatpurpose, the suction of the motor is here relied upon and to that end aconduit 25 is connected to the intake manifold 26 of the motor.Combustion within the burner is initiated and sustained by a spark plug.21 connected by a lead 28 to a. spark coil 23 from which it derives itsenergy. Preferably a window 30 is provided in the burner located justbelow the spark plug so that it may be determined readily whethercombustion is taking place within the burner.

Aiding the discharge and circulation of heat from the radiator 8 is afan 33 disposed above the radiator to create a circulation of air overthe radiator. The fan is driven by an electric motor 34 deriving itsenergy from a battery 35. The motor circuit includes a lead 38 connectedat one end to one terminal of the battery 35 and at the other end to aswitch 31. A lead 38 connects the switch 31 to the movable contact 39 ofa rheostat 40 which in turn is connected by lead 41 to one terminal ofthe motor. The other terminal of the motor is grounded through athemotor circuit through lead 42 to complete the customary ground lead Inaddition to driving serves to interrupt periodically the circuit leadingto the spark coil is for the purpose of energizing the same. To that endthe motor 34 has a cam 48 fixed on the end of its shaft 43, opposite thefan 33 (see Fig. 2). Also mounted on that end of the motor are astationary contact 41 anda pivoted contact 43, the latter: being urgedinto engagement with the stationary contact by means of a tension spring43, and periodically forced out of engagement by the cam 43. Contact 48is connected by a lead II to one terminal of the spark coil 23 groundedby a lead 32. A condenser 53 is connected across the spark coil in thecustomary manner. The stationary contact 41 is connected by leads 5! andI to the lead 33 and thence 43 of the battery.

the fan the motor 34 through the switch 31 and lead 33 to the battery 35to complete the circuit for the spark coil. An ammeter 51 is preferablyconnected between the battery and the lead 33 in the usual manner. As isevident from. the foregoing the spark coil 31 will be open so which ispartially manual and partially automatic. It will the switch 31 iscommon both to the motor circult and to the spark coil circuit so thatboth circuits will be simultaneously energized or deenergized uponactuation of the, switch. Actuation of the switch 31 is by manual meanswhich also functions to coordinate the opening and closing of the valve24 with the energizationaud de-energization of the circuits by theswitch 31. In the present instance this manual means is in the form. ofa rod connected at one end to an arm 6| on the valve 24 and at the otherend extends slidably through a sleeve 62 in the dash 63 of the motorvehicle. Near its dash end, the rod is provided with a pin 34 engaging aslotted link 65 actuating the switch 31. Thus it will be seen that whenthe valve 24 is closed the switch that neither the motor 34 nor will bein operation, and that when the valve 24 is open both the motor 31 andthe spark coil 29 will be energized so that combustion will be initiatedin the burner and air will be circulated over the radiator 5. The swtch31 is so constructed that initial movement the spark coil 29 of the rod80 to the left closes the switch so that valve 24. The sleeve ablerelative to the dash and carries the arm 39 of the rheostat 40 forcontrolling the speed of the motor 34. In this manner a convenient andneat control means for the apparatus is provided.

Automatic means are provided for modifying the manual control and assafety devices. To that end a thermostat 44 is connected in the sparkcoil circuit intermediate the leads i5 and 56. This thermostat when openserves to prevent energization of the spark plug 21 and thus arrestscombustion in the burner IE, but does not arrest the motor 34. Thethermostat is may be located wherever desired and may be made responsiveto any predetermined temperature. For purposes of illustration only itis here shown mounted on the upper end of the burner it.

In order to prevent injury to the apparatus by excessive expansion ofthe fluid in the circulatory system, a bellows I4 is connected to thecirculatory system so as to be responsive to the pressure within thesystem. The bellows 43 serves to close the valve 24 and open the switch31 when the pressure within the circulatory system attains excessivevalues, and to that end is connected to the rod 30. This connectionincludes a crank 31 pivotally mounted at ll and one arm of the crank hasa pin and slot connection with the rod 33. The other arm of the crank 31carries a'pin l3 engaging in-a slot 13 in the end of a link If connectedto the movable end of the 13 form a lost motion connection functioningto enable the valve 24 to be closed manually at any time and serving toclose and to retain the valve closed against manual. opening at a timewhen the pressure in the circulatory system is excessive.

Having describes the heating apparatus, the operation thereof may bebriefly summarized as follows: Having first adjusted the fuel and airproportioning device 23 so as to give a combustible mixture with thegrade of fuel employed, the apparatus is started simply by pulling outthe rod 30. Such movement of the rod would open the valve TM so that thevacuum within the burner 15 created by the connection to the intakemanifold would draw combustible mixture be seen from the foregoing thatinto the burner. Simultaneously with the opening of the valve 24, switch31. would be closed and thus complete the circuit to the motor 34combustible mixture, as well as operation of the motor 34 and the sparkcoil 29, would be arrested.

Assuming, however, that the apparatus is started as above described andthe valve 24 set at a certain position and left in that position, withthe thermostat 65 located as shown herein, should the burner temperaturerise above a predetermined value the thermostat would open and break thecircuit to the spark coil 29. This would render the spark plug 21inoperative and bustion initiating means, and a common means forsimultaneously actuating said valve and said switch.

2. An apparatus for heating an automotive vehicle having an internalcombustion engine,

. comprising a circulatory system including a radiator and a heatingcoil,- a burner for supplying the heat to said circulatory system havinga thus would arrest combustion within the heater until the thermostatwould again close, but such opening of the thermostat would not affectthe operation of the motor 34 which would continue to circulate air overthe radiator and in the body of the vehicle.

Should the pressure in the circulatory system become excessive, thebellows 68 would be expanded and through the crank 61 would shift therod 60 inwardly depending upon the degree to which the pressure hadrisen. If the risk in pressure is small, the bellows would move the rod60 a limited extent only so as merely to reduce the supply ofcombustible mixture to the burner. But should that fail to restore thepressure to normal, further expansion of the bellows 65' wouldcompletely close the valve 24 and would also open the switch- 31 to stopthe motor and de-energize the spark coil. With the bellows in thisposition the rod 60 could not be actuated manually to initiate operationof the apparatus so that the bellows acts as a safety device preventingstarting the apparatus when to do so would be dangerous. Because of thelost motion connection between the link 11 and the crank 61. contractionof the bellows 68 to normal would not again start operation of theapparatus, but

such operation could again be started only by willful act of theoperator.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a unique heatingapparatus for motor vehicles which is not dependent upon the heat of themotor jacket water or of the exhaust and which does not requireprovision of separate means for supplying the fuel and for disposing ofthe products of combustion. The apparatus is readily installed, iseconomical in operation and is readily controlled and regulated toproduce any desired quantity of heat.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for heating an automotive vehicle having an internalcombustion engine, comprising a circulatory system including a radiatorand a heating coil, a burner for supplying heat to said circulatorysystem having a fuel supply connection and a connection with the intakemanifold of the engine for drawing fuel into the burner and withdrawingthe products of combustion therefrom, a valve for controlling the supplyof combustible mixture to the heater, means for initiating andmaintaining combustion within the heater, an electric motor-driven fanfor circulating air past said radiator, a switch controlling both saidelectric motor and the comfuel supply connection and a connection to theintake manifold of the engine whereby when the engine is in operationfuel is drawn into the bumer and the products of combustion with- 4drawn therefrom, a valve for controlling the supply of fuel to saidburner, manual means for controlling said valve, and automatic pressureresponsive means having a connection with said valve for closing thesame and maintaining the same closed against manual opening when thepressure in the circulatory system exceeds a predetermined value. v

3. In a heat generating device for a conveyance having an internalcombustion engine, a substantially closed cylinder separate from theengine and having two compartments, one providing a combustion chamberand the other a fluid chamber, a carbureting device connected to theintake of the combustion chamber for supplying a combustible mixturethereto, a fuel supply pipe from the fuel supply of the engine to thecarbureting device, means responsive to the pressure in said fluidchamber for controlling the rate of flow of fuel to said carburetingdevice to increase the rate of flow upon reduction of the pressure insaid fluid chamber and vice versa, an exhaust pipe from the outlet ofthe combustion chamber to the intake manifoldof the engine, a spark plugoperatively mounted in the combustion chamber, a high tension coil, acircuit from a source of electricity to the coil, an interrupter in saidcircuit, and a high tension wire from the coil to the plug.

4. The combination with a motor vehicle having an internal combustionengine, of a substantially closed receptacle separate from the engineand comprising a combustion chamber,

a fluid chamber operatively associated therewith, a carbureting deviceconnected to the intake of the combustion chamber, a fuel supply pipefrom the carbureting device to the fuel supply of the engine, an exhaustoutlet from the combustion chamber to the intake manifold of the engine,a control valve for controlling the rate of fuel supply to thecombustion chamber at a rate inverse with respect to the pressure insaid fluid chamber, a passageway from the fluid chamber to the controlvalve, a sight opening in said combustion chamber, a spark plug mountedin said. combustion chamber, a radiator, connections from the radiatorto the fluid chamber, an electric fan for forcing air around theradiator, a circuit from. a source of electricity to the fan, a

- high tension coil, a circuit from said source of means connecting theoutlet of said combustion chamber to the intake manifold of the engineto withdraw products of combustion from said com bustion chamber, meansconnected to the carburetor for supplying a combustible mixture ofliquid fuel and air to said combustion chamher, a valve for controllingthe flow of the combustibie mixture into said combustion chamber,electrical means for igniting the fuel mixture in said combustionchamber, an energizing circuit forsaid igniting means, said circuitincluding a switch, a manually operable element for actuating saidswitch and operating said valve, heat transfer means for conveying heatfrom said gases of combustion to the air in the automobile, and meansresponsive to excessive heat conditions in said heat transfer system toclose said valve and open said switch.

8. For use in conjunction with an automobile having an internalcombustion engine including an intake manifold and a carburetor, acombustion chamber having an inlet and an outlet, means connecting theoutlet of said combustion chamber to the intake manifold of the engineto withdraw products of combustion from said 20 combustion chamber,means connected to the carburetor for supplying a combustible mixture ofliquid fuel and air to said combustion chamber, a valve for controllingthe flow of the combustible mixture into said combustion chamber,electrical means for igniting the fuel mixture in said combustionchamber, an energizing circuit for said igniting means. said circuitincluding a switch, a manually operable element for actuating saidswitch and operating said valve, heat transfer means for conveying heatfrom said gases of combustion to the air in the automobile, meansresponsive to excessive heat conditions in said heat transfer system toclose said valve and open said switch, and thermostatic switch meansresponsive to excessively high temperatures in said combustion chamberto open said igniting means energizing circuit.

EDWARD B. GEORGE.

